110 Years On: Havering Falls Silent to Remember the Heroes of the Somme at Special Ceremony.

A deeply moving remembrance ceremony was held at Coronation Gardens in Romford this morning as Havering came together to mark the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and honour the thousands of servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice during one of the bloodiest battles in British military history.

The poignant ceremony, organised by Havering Council, was led by the Worshipful the Mayor of Havering, Councillor Themistoclis, who welcomed veterans, civic dignitaries, councillors and members of the community to pay their respects.

The Battle of the Somme began on 1 July 1916 and remains one of the defining moments of the First World War. On the opening day alone, the British Army suffered around 57,000 casualties, including more than 19,000 men who lost their lives, making it the deadliest day in the history of the British Army. By the end of the battle in November 1916, more than one million men from all sides had been killed, wounded or were missing.

As part of the ceremony, Havering’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Luke Barry, gave a moving reading of Rupert Brooke’s famous poem The Soldier, paying tribute to those who never returned home.

One of the most emotional moments came as Veterans Champion Councillor Alex Donald blew a whistle to mark the moment at 7.30am, on July 1 1916, thousands of British soldiers climbed from their trenches and went “over the top” to face the horrors of battle 110 years ago.

The haunting sound of the Last Post then rang out across Coronation Gardens before those gathered observed a minute’s silence in memory of the fallen.

Veterans stood proudly alongside councillors from across all political parties, the Member of Parliament for Romford-Andrew Rosindell MP, Deputy Lieutenant David Utting DL VR, representatives of the Girl Guides and members of the local community, united in remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to their country.

The ceremony concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, bringing a fitting end to a service that reflected both gratitude and remembrance.

Special praise should also go to Nicola and Havering Council’s Events Team for organising such a respectful and dignified ceremony, ensuring the borough marked this important anniversary in a manner worthy of the men and women whose sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Lest We Forget.

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